Am I scooping up more than my fair share of the good stuff? Am I encouraging a cycle of consumption that is not what God intended? Where is the plenty for people who are more deserving than I am, but still struggle?

The kind of questions that keep me up at night.

I am grateful that I have always been able to find what I need, at a price I can afford, and sometimes in a way that is so far beyond my expectations.

The wording has changed, but not the focus. Let's keep sharing our stories of God's provision!

One thing that you are NOT doing is buying things that take loads of energy to produce and transport. You are also not likely to produce as much garbage because "secondhand" items do not come wrapped in bubblewrap and other packaging. These are very good things. For more info on garbage see No Impact Man blog. (Hope you don't mind a recommendation.) A frugal life is also quite good for our over burdened planet. Connie

Well, I am one of the gals who LOVED the wording of your old heading, (but the new one is nice, too!). I remember the very first time I came to your blog I practically had shivers of excitement, because the acknowledgement of God's hand in the provisions He sends, within a budget you/we can afford, is one of the single greatest blessings in my life, and it is that particular aspect of your blog that has encouraged me most of all through the past few years. And Meredith, please do not EVER worry about "too much consumption", or someone else being more deserving, etc, etc. I know that you have touched on this subject in different ways in the past (for example, Goodwill is not a "ministry", but a for-profit industry, etc), but seriously, I think your very greatest strength comes from the creative stewardship you show of both your money and your talent for making your home lovely. EVERYONE buys and consumes stuff, from the poorest to the richest, but most people never really stop and think about a way to do it more intelligently ( no matter what their income happens to be). Their priorities are wrong, and therefore they end up consuming things in a way that complicates their lives instead of blessing it, (and I'm thinking about things like buying things that you can't afford, and then mom having to go to work instead of being home with her children, etc.). I am SO sick of the incessant push in the national media at the moment about how everyone MUST be "green" and consume less, blah, blah, blah......and so often, these trendy movements are more about someone's political agenda than they are about true conservation and stewardship. All this to say, you should continue to buy secondhand treasures with no guilt whatsoever, because if you don't, either someone else will, or they will ultimately end up in a landfill anyway! And as far as I know, everyone's got an equal chance at all the Goodwill, Salvation Army, and garage sale stuff, so in my book at least, you should keep "scooping" away!! Susan

What Susan (above) said is so true. You find the 'treasures' in the thrift shops etc. because you take the time to look, because you have educated yourself on WHAT to look for, and because you have a talent to put things together to make a 'whole' when you find piece 1 at Goodwill and piece 2 (to go with it) at the garage sale next week. Meredith you have been blessed with a great talent. We are all just delighted that you share it with us. Thank you very much. If it matters at all, I like your "spring" look, but the old banner was wonderful. Just wonderful. Thank you one more time. Roxie

I do think, even in garage saling and thrift shopping, it's important to think through whether something is a want or a need. Not that we don't all need beauty in our lives as well as practical items, but it's easy to just wind up with too much stuff which all needs to be cared for and maintained, taking time away from people. there ae just as many temptations at Goodwill as there are at Target!

Love the new header, so cute!!I don't think you need to feel bad about your finds. I don't think it has anything to do with who is deserving or not. I love to see your finds and how the Lord blesses you thru your diligence.We recently got a much needed bookcase off Craigslist for $20 less than the guy was asking and way less than the fake wood ones at the store.I love it when God provides!Elise

I might have a story of provision soon, but prayers that it would work out would be great! We are currently a one-car family and we really need a second car, and might be able to buy one for dh from a relative, for the price we were willing to pay to fix dh's car. We still need to go see it though.

God DOES provide!!!

(now, if he would just provide a *buyer* for our townhouse in Michigan, I would be beyond amazed!)

Frugality can become a disease. I know a lovely woman who has this disease. She scoops up anything that's cheap or free, even to the point of wasting money on needless things and things that are broken, but she doesn't realize it until she gets home! Then, she's stuck with all this clutter and no place to put it and it aggrivates her no end.

But what really gets me is that she has a problem grabbing things she doesn't need when others could use it. I spoke to her on this issue. I don't know how many free coats go unused when others don't have a coat to speak of. I don't know how much food pantry food is tossed in the trash because no one will eat it when others are starving. And when donuts are in a trash bag and underwear has clearly been used, don't bring it home just because it's free!! The donuts are now pig food and the underwear is a bio-hazard!

Frugality is all well and good, but sometimes we get over-eager in our frugality and end up wasting so much time and money. Also, we have the problem of "stealing" from those in need.

Of course, we all get over-eager at some point and gather some such clutter, so I like your idea of giving back.

One thing I ask myself when I am at a thrift store or garage sale and something attracts my eye is..Do I really NEED this? Sometimes I NEED something for it's usefulness, sometimes for its beauty, but when it gets down to just the fact that it's available and a "great deal", I really am sharp with myself about whether my life will be better off if I get it. I have eliminated many items I could have taken home with me by asking myself that simple question...